Strep throat is an infection of the throat and tonsils caused by a specific type of bacteria known as Streptococcus pyogenes, also referred to as Group A Streptococcus (GAS). This bacterial infection often presents with a sudden sore throat, fever, and can include other signs such as swollen glands, headache, and sometimes nausea or vomiting. Strep throat is highly contagious and can spread easily among individuals.
Untreated Strep Contagion Duration
Without antibiotic treatment, an individual with strep throat can remain contagious for an extended period. The bacteria can persist in the throat and nose, allowing for continued transmission to others. This contagious phase typically lasts for two to three weeks, but it can potentially extend for as long as a month. Throughout this duration, the infected person acts as a carrier, capable of spreading the bacteria even if their own symptoms have started to improve.
How Strep Spreads
Streptococcus pyogenes primarily spreads through respiratory droplets. These droplets are released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. Others can become infected by breathing in these airborne droplets. Transmission also occurs through direct person-to-person contact, such as sharing personal items like drinking glasses or eating utensils. Touching surfaces contaminated with these droplets and then touching one’s nose or mouth can also lead to infection.
Achieving Non-Contagious Status
Individuals typically become non-contagious relatively quickly once appropriate antibiotic treatment for strep throat begins. Within 12 to 48 hours of starting the prescribed antibiotics, the amount of bacteria in the throat significantly decreases, rendering the person no longer contagious. This rapid reduction in transmissibility is a primary reason why medical professionals recommend antibiotics for strep throat. Completing the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms improve, is important to ensure the infection is fully cleared.
Complications of Untreated Strep
Leaving strep throat untreated can lead to serious health complications, some of which can affect distant parts of the body. One significant concern is acute rheumatic fever, an inflammatory condition that can impact the heart, joints, brain, and skin, potentially leading to rheumatic heart disease, permanent heart valve damage, and eventual heart failure. Another potential complication is post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, a kidney disease where the filtering units of the kidneys become inflamed. This condition can lead to symptoms such as dark urine and swelling. Furthermore, some children may develop Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), which is characterized by a sudden onset or worsening of obsessive-compulsive disorder or tic disorders following a strep infection.